Foxtel To Axe Music Video Channels

Foxtel is set to axe its music channels, MTV Hits, Nick Music, MTV Club, MTV 80s and CMT (Country Music Television) Australia at the end of the month.

The five channels were introduced to Foxtel viewers in July 2020 after the company made a deal with ViacomCBS. The new-ish channels were added after the scrapping of long-running, locally operated Australian music video channels, [V], MAX, Smooth, and CMC (Country Music Channel).

Now, the Australian pay television company seems to be overhauling its music programming once again. After introducing the channels listed above in 2020, Foxtel quietly added Vevo Pop, Vevo 2K, Vevo 90s, and Vevo Retro Rock (IP only) earlier this year.

In a statement, a Foxtel spokesperson told TV Tonight that the company remains committed to delivering “the best entertainment experience possible” and will soon share new information about the new music video channels heading to Foxtel.

“From 30 June 2025, the MTV Music Channels will no longer be available on Foxtel. These include MTV Hits (Ch: 801), Nick Music (Ch: 802), MTV Club (Ch: 803), MTV 80s (Ch: 804), and CMT (Ch: 805),” the spokesperson said.

They added, “For the music lovers out there, customers will continue to have access to our suite of Vevo channels available on Foxtel (IP only), including: Vevo Pop, Vevo 2K, Vevo 90s, and Vevo Retro Rock.

“We’re committed to delivering the best entertainment experience possible with access to the greatest variety of premium drama, sport, movies, news and even music. We look forward to sharing more information soon on new music video channels coming to Foxtel.”

Since 2020, CMT has been the only music channel on Foxtel to be locally programmed. It’s owned and operated by Paramount Networks UK & Australia and marks the third (and only) country music video channel operating in Australia, following the closure of MusicCountry and CMC.

When Foxtel announced that it would be cutting [V], Max and CMC, Foxtel Executive Director of Television, Brian Walsh, said in 2020: “We are proud of the heritage of our owned and operated music channels and the success they have enjoyed entertaining Foxtel customers for the past 25 years.

"I want to acknowledge the management and music teams, past and present, who created Channel V, Max and CMC.

“Creating a great entertainment experience for our subscribers means constant renewal in every aspect of our business, and our partnership with Viacom provides a fresh, new direction for music on Foxtel.”